Automatic mechanical die spray apparatus

ABSTRACT

A spraying apparatus is moved between two dies upon die opening and positively removed therefrom during die closing by a mechanical linkage affixed to the dies and to the spraying apparatus, the linkage being operated by movement of the dies.

United States Patent Inventor Gerald K. Ruhlandt Madison Heights, Mich.

App]. No. 21,056

Filed Mar. 19, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 Assignee General Motors Corporation Detroit, Mich.

AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL DIE SPRAY APPARATUS 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 164/267,

18/2 TM, 18/26 RR, 18/30 PA, 118/317, 1 18/323, 134/164, 134/172 Int. Cl 822d 17/22 Field of Search 164/46, 72, 113, 267, 284; 18/2 TP, 2 TM, 17, 26 RR, 30 PA; 118/313,315,317,323;134/143,164,172,175,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,635,369 7/1927 Lee 164/267 2,803,257 8/1957 Cozzo1i.... 134/143 3,248,762 5/1966 Wagner... 164/158 3,544,355 12/1970 Ott 164/72 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,423,889 1l/1965 France 18/2 RP 811,873 4/1959 Great Britain 164/158 Primary Examiner-R. Spencer Annear Attorneys.lean L. Carpenter, Paul Fitzpatrick and Warren D. Hill ABSTRACT: A spraying apparatus is moved between two dies upon die opening and positively removed therefrom during die closing by a mechanical linkage affixed to the dies and to the spraying apparatus, the linkage being operated by movement of the dies.

AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL DIE SPRAY APPARATUS This invention relates to die spraying apparatus and more particularly to automatic mechanical die spraying apparatus.

It is common practice to spray dies such as those used in die casting machines to lubricate the die cavities. Conventional die spraying devices are actuated by air or hydraulic motors to move them between the dies when the dies are opened and to remove them before the dies close. Such devices require electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic signals to sense when the dies are open and when the spray apparatus has been removed from the die opening. Malfunctions of such devices can cause extensive damage to the dies if they close on the spray mechanism. Such damage can result in expensive repair or replacement of dies as well as machine down time. Another shortcoming of conventional systems is that a time delay is added to the production cycle of the machine because the spray has to wait until the dies completely open before going between them and the dies cannot be closed until the spraying mechanism is completely out of the die opening.

It is a general object of this invention to eliminate any reliance on electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic components in an apparatus for moving a spraying mechanism relative to dies.

It is another object of the invention to provide a positive acting mechanical apparatus for moving a spray mechanism into and out ofa die opening space.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for moving a spraying device into and out of a die opening synchronously with die movement to eliminate any time delay due to travel time of the spray mechanism.

The invention is carried out by providing a mechanical linkage supporting and guiding a spray device, the linkage being attached to each of a pair of dies for movement therewith and causing a positive and synchronous movement of the spray device into and out of the die opening.

The above and other advantages will be made more apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a pair of dies and a spraying device operated by a mechanical linkage according to the invention:

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 with the dies in the open position; and,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 with the dies in the closed position.

In the drawings, dies and 12 like those ofa conventional die casting machine are arranged to open and close. Normally one of the dies is stationary and the other movable, it being immaterial which die is stationary. A spray device 14 carrying spray nozzles 16 is arranged for movement into the die space between the open dies 10 and 12 when the dies are opening to spray a lubricant in the die cavities, not shown, and for movement from the die space during die closing. The movement is effected by a mechanical linkage 18 which is affixed to a horizontal carrier 20 of the spray device 14, to a bearing block 22 rigidly attached to the die I0 and to a support plate 24 rigidly attached to the die 12. The linkage includes a pair of parallel arms 26 and 28 of equal length, each pivoted at one end to the horizontal carrier 20 and at the other end to the bearing block 22 to support and guide the spray device 14. The arm 26 is rigidly attached to a pivot pin 30 which extends vertically entirely through the bearing block 22. The rigid attachment of the arm 26 to the pin 30 is accomplished by a key or pin 32. The lower end of the pin 30 is rigidly attached by a pin 34 to one end of a link 36, which link is positioned at an acute angle to the arm 26. Since both the arm 26 and the link 36 are rigidly attached to the pivot pin 30, the arm 26 follows the dies 10 and 12'close, the link 36 is caused to angularly move due to'the action of the link 38 so that'the arm 26 IS likewise movedto pull the spray device 14 from the die space synchronously with the closing movement of the dies. The arm 28 cooperating with arm 26 always maintains the carrier 20 parallel to its original position so that the motion of the spray device 14 is precisely controlled. Before the dies completely close the spray device 14 is retracted from between the die opening. By the time the die is completely closed, the spray device 14 has been fully retracted to a standby position as shown in FIG. 3 and awayfrom the die opening. Thus the spray device is positively moved from the die space to avoid any possible conflict with the diesl0 and 12. Moreover, the movement of the spray device I4 is synchronous with die movement so that no time is lost in waiting for the spray device to be positioned.

The linkage arrangement set forth efi'ects rapid movement of the spray device 14 into and out of the die opening, but because the movable die slows down as it approaches either of its two extreme positions, there is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the mechanism that could cause large stresses in the linkage.

In the event it is desired to open the dies without moving the spray device into the die opening, it is necessary merely to remove the pin 40 to disconnect the link 38 from the link 36.

The embodiment of the invention described herein is for purposes of illustration and the scope of the invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims:

It is claimed:

1. In an apparatusfor spraying die cavities in a pair of relatively movable dies which open and close including spraying means movable between the dies during die opening, the dies and spraying apparatus being subject to damage in the event the dies close on the apparatus, mechanical means operated by die movement for moving the spraying means into the space between the dies during die opening and into position for spraying the dies for positively removing the spraying means from the space during die closing comprising an arm pivotally secured at one end to one of the dies and attached at the other end to the spraying means for support and guidance thereof, a first link having one end rigidly connected with the said one of the arm for movement therewith, and a second link having its ends respectively pivotally connected to the other of the dies and to the other end of the first link so that relative movement of the dies causes pivotal movement of the links and consequently of the arm to move the spraying means.

2. In an apparatus for spraying die cavities in a pair of relatively movable dies which open and close including spraying means movable between the dies during die opening, the dies and spraying apparatus being subject to damage in the event the dies close on the apparatus, mechanical means for moving the spraying means into the space between the dies during die opening and positively removing the spraying means from the space during die closing comprising a pair of parallel arms of equal length each pivotally secured at one end to one of the dies and pivotally secured at the other end to the spraying means for support and guidance thereof, a first link having one end rigidly connected with the said one end of one of the arms for movement therewith, and a second link having its ends respectively pivotallyconnected to the other of the dies and to the other end of the first link so that relative movement of the dies causes pivotal movement of the links and consequently of the arms to move the spraying means.

22 g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3, 633, 651 Dated January 11, 1972 lnvencorqs) Gerald K. Ruhlandt It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby'corrected as shbwn below:

Column 2, line 42, after "dies" insert and line 47, after "one" insert end Signed and sealed this 10th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Cbmmissioner of Patents 

1. In an apparatus for spraying die cavities in a pair of relatively movable dies which open and close including spraying means movable between the dies during die opening, the dies and spraying apparatus being subject to damage in the event the dies close on the apparatus, mechanical means operated by die movement for moving the spraying means into the space between the dies during die opening and into position for spraying the dies for positively removing the spraying means from the space during die closing comprising an arm pivotally secured at one end to one of the dies and attached at the other end to the spraying means for support and guidance thereof, a first link having one end rigidly connected with the said one of the arm for movement therewith, and a second link having its ends respectively pivotally connected to the other of the dies and to the other end of the first link so that relative movement of the dies causes pivotal movement of the links and consequently of the arm to move the spraying means.
 2. In an apparatus for spraying die cavities in a pair of relatively movable dies which open and close including spraying means movable between the dies during die opening, the dies and spraying apparatus being subject to damage in the event the dies close on the aPparatus, mechanical means for moving the spraying means into the space between the dies during die opening and positively removing the spraying means from the space during die closing comprising a pair of parallel arms of equal length each pivotally secured at one end to one of the dies and pivotally secured at the other end to the spraying means for support and guidance thereof, a first link having one end rigidly connected with the said one end of one of the arms for movement therewith, and a second link having its ends respectively pivotally connected to the other of the dies and to the other end of the first link so that relative movement of the dies causes pivotal movement of the links and consequently of the arms to move the spraying means. 